Bensalem News and Notes

District Highlights ~ May 2026

We are delighted to showcase the many wonderful activities and events taking place in our schools. At the beginning of each month, we will feature one highlight from every school, reflecting the memorable moments of the previous month.

Also included are upcoming Dates to Remember.

District Fine Art Festival

On May 5, 6, and 7, students and faculty of the Bensalem Township School District Art Department proudly presented their Annual District Visual Art Festival. Family and friends viewed hundreds of paintings, drawings, sculptures, and other pieces of art by students from all over the district at all grade levels. As you can see from the photos, our students are extremely talented. Special thanks to our Art staff for setting up these wonderful displays.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to BTSD’s Jalyssa Quinn and Jacqui Owens on completing the Bucks County Intermediate Unit’s Leadership Development Fellowship Cohort 9. Interim Superintendent, Dr. Victoria Velazquez joined our "graduates" at a recognition ceremony on Friday, May 15. Developed in 2017, the Leadership Fellowship was created to provide Bucks County educators the opportunity to learn from experts in the field and help our school districts build leadership-ready personnel. Session topics have included building a positive school culture and community; mindful leadership and emotional intelligence; leveraging data and evidence in decision-making; and organizational and instructional leadership. This cohort, which began in December 2025, included 37 participants from Bucks County schools, including Mrs. Owens and Mrs. Quinn, nominated by Dr. Velazquez.

Bensalem High School

Bensalem High School proudly inducted new members into the National Honor Society during a special ceremony held on May 13, 2026. NHS President, Kacey Wolanski welcomed family and friends, while Vice President Diya Patel shared the inspiring poem “Don’t Quit.” BHS teacher, Dan Shuchat served as the guest speaker. Faculty advisors, Mrs. Christine Ennis and Ms. Kate Howell introduced the inductees and presented certificates to the newest NHS members. The Lighting of the Candles ceremony highlighted the Four Pillars of NHS: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, and Character, led by Lucciana Krecko; Anjali Guda; and Jude Sakkal.

Congratulations to the following 2026 NHS Inductees on this outstanding achievement.

Sophomores: Kylie Blank, Abby Cheung, Sahaba Chowdhury, Kaelyn Erb, Joseph Hughes, Owen Mindham, Ephraim Mathew, Rimas Moursi, Kylie O’Neil, Kirtan Patel, Shiven Patel, Taksh Patel, Kendall Quirk, Yash Shah, Gregory Winters, and Sean Winters.

Juniors: Riya Amin, Malak Charaoui, Daphne Gao, Sara Lam, Sophia McKinney, Punam Mojumdar, and Yaretzi Ortega-Aguilar.

Shafer Middle School

In their Social Studies class at Shafer Middle School, seventh grade students explored the fascinating world of Roman mythology through a creative research project. Students investigated the stories, powers, symbols, and significance of various Roman gods and goddesses, then used their findings to design and compare their chosen mythological figures. Through a combination of research, critical thinking, and artistic expression, students brought these ancient legends to life while deepening their understanding of Roman culture and history.

Snyder Middle School

Mr. DiDomenico’s seventh grade Math students at Snyder teamed up with the Full Year STEM class to bring learning to life in the courtyard, all thanks to a Just for the Kids Education Foundation Classroom Project Award. Students worked together to plan, measure, build, and fill brand new garden beds, applying real-world math and engineering skills every step of the way. From calculating dimensions to collaborating on design, this project showcased the power of teamwork, problem-solving, and learning beyond the classroom walls. We can’t wait to see what grows next!

Belmont Hills Elementary School

Belmont Hills Elementary School was proud to host their 2nd Annual Sensory Friendly Owls Dance! This year's theme, “Under The Sea," brought a night full of music, dancing, smiles, and unforgettable memories for our students and families. From ocean inspired decorations to fun sensory friendly activities, it was a wonderful celebration of inclusion, connection, and community. Thank you to everyone who helped make this special night such a success.

Cornwells Elementary School

The Cornwellian bilingual students in ELD (English Language Development) class wrote and presented their “Dream Big” ideas, sharing places they hope to visit, people they want to meet, skills they want to learn, and future goals. Their presentations highlighted diverse perspectives and a desire to help others. Students enjoyed practicing their speaking skills in small groups, building confidence along the way. Their language growth this year has been impressive!

Faust Elementary School

Fourth grade students in Ms. Buechner’s Math class at Faust Elementary wrapped up an exciting food truck entrepreneur lesson, combining real world math with creative problem solving. Students designed their own food truck concepts, calculated costs and profits, and practiced entrepreneurship skills through hands-on budgeting challenges. The project encouraged teamwork, financial literacy, and innovative thinking, empowering students to see how math drives everyday business decisions.

Rush Elementary School

Rush Elementary students enjoyed a fun-filled day with animals from Peaceful Petting Zoo. Students had the opportunity to pet and feed a variety of animals while learning about animal care, compassion, and responsibility through hands-on experiences. Smiles and laughter filled the day as students interacted with lambs, goats, ducks, chickens, and a turtle.

Struble Elementary School

What a wonderful afternoon on May 2nd celebrating 50 years of Struble Superstars! It was so special to see current and former teachers, principals, staff, students, and alumni come together to mark this milestone. The afternoon was packed with activities for kids and adults alike: food trucks, a moon bounce, a DJ, face painting, popcorn, cotton candy, building tours, faculty and staff meet-and-greets, memorabilia on display, and videos highlighting the school’s past and present. The sense of community and pride was truly inspiring. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make the day such a memorable success.

Valley Elementary School

Kindergarten’s English Language Arts curriculum's current theme is "Then and Now." At Valley, students developed vocabulary and investigation skills related to learning about the past. Teachers helped students extend this learning by giving them the tools (literally and figuratively) to investigate a very cool group of reptiles who lived long ago: dinosaurs! During their exploration, the 5 and 6 year old paleontologists read books, wrote facts, and danced to songs about different dinosaurs. They also explored and debated possible explanations for dinosaur extinction and practiced using scientific tools to dig for fossils.

Superintendent Search

At the April 14, 2026 School Board Action Meeting, the board voted to retain the Bucks County Intermediate Unit (Bucks IU) to facilitate the search process for the district's next superintendent. The Bucks IU is an experienced provider of superintendent and education executive search services and will support the board by developing interview protocols, assisting with logistics, and facilitating the interview process. The members of the board retain sole responsibility for determining which candidates advance through each stage of the process and for selecting the district’s next superintendent.

For more information and to complete the Community Survey no later than June 8, 2026, please click the below link. Also, please join us at the Community Meeting on June 8 at 5:30 PM (Flyer below).